PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 23. 2022
Highland, MD -With anticipation and excitement, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church officially kicked off its “Blessed by our Past, Faithful to our Future” Capital Campaign with strong early support of $2.5 million in pledges towards their campaign needs of $5 million.
After years of discernment, the leadership of St. Mark’s has voted to move forward to raise the necessary money to enlarge its church to better service the community. A vision that will provide a welcoming facility with updated classrooms, parish hall and church offices in one building. The vision of St. Mark’s is to become a spiritual magnet in Howard County, strengthening the parish’s engagement in faith-based service ministries, and increase membership, especially families with children. Parishioners are confident that the vison will enable them to realize their full potential of serving Christ by expanding ministries and outreach and leaving a lasting legacy for those who come after them.
“St. Mark’s is taking a courageous step forward in its race for Christ. Dreaming of ministry possibilities with a multifunctional Parish Hall is encouraging at any time – even more so in a pastoral transition. It shows that St. Mark’s takes its call to love God, neighbor, and self seriously to proclaim Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection through tilling its own soil to imagine what may grow in its midst through the Holy Spirit.” said Reverend Lisa Bornt, Interim Rector.
St. Mark’s has ministered to the Howard County in Highland, Maryland for 150 years. In 1857 the residents of the Clarksville and Highland areas of Howard County began to consider building an Episcopal Church. That year Mr. Washington Adams proposed that a church be erected on a lot that he would donate. However, the Civil War intervened, and he died before the bequest was made. The present church stands on a lot called “Hickory Ridge” donated by Ferdinand C. Pue, one of the founders of the church and in 1874 the church was completed on Hall Shop Road and Rt. 216.
“To have this opportunity to partner with St. Mark’s and its long faithful history is an honor for myself and James D. Klote & Associates. St. Mark’s is a warm and welcoming church. Its outreach in the community and worldwide is well known and a testament to parishioners’ commitment to making a difference and to following Gods will.” said Mel Kalagian, Senior Campaign Director with James Klote & Associates.
James D. Klote & Associates, Inc. Senior Campaign Director Glenn Wagner, is providing full time resident service. With offices in Falls Church, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Toronto, Ontario, James D. Klote & Associates is the largest full-time, on-site stewardship consulting firm in North America. For additional information, please contact the firm at www.jdklote.com or (703) 532-7633.